Real estate exposure boost through 12m hits per month site
PROPERTIES listed on the Bahamas Real Estate Association's (BREA) multiple listing service (MLS) will now benefit from 'global exposure' through their listing on the popular US real estate site, Realtor.com, which has 12 million hits per month.
Sky Bahamas chiefs deny share allegation
SKY Bahamas' principals yesterday told Tribune Business they completely "deny" allegations by a former executive of the airline that they conspired to squeeze him out of his equity stake in the company, and recorded incorrect shareholdings in the Companies Registry.
11.2% stopover growth 'third highest ever'
THE 11.2 per cent air arrivals growth rate achieved by the Bahamian tourism industry during the 2012 first quarter "is the third best on record", the minister of tourism and aviation said yesterday, revealing that he was working on plans to "eke out more business" in the traditionally slow September/October period.
$250m project to make Bimini 'The Hamptons of the Bahamas'
THE Bimini Bay Resort's developers yesterday said they were aiming to transform Bimini into "The Hamptons of the Bahamas" via their next $250 million development phase, a project that could potentially generate several hundred full-time jobs for Bahamians.
Bimini Bay targets 10% occupancy rise
THE 374-room Bimini Bay Resort is projecting 10 per cent year-over-year occupancy growth in 2012, a senior executive telling Tribune Business yesterday that its developers had invested around $290 million in its build out to-date.
Businesses suffer 15-30% energy cost increases
MAJOR Bahamas-based businesses yesterday said that have seen electricity costs surge as much as 15-30 per cent year-over-year during 2012 to-date, one telling Tribune Business the issue was the "biggest deterrent" to getting into - and running - a company.
Why should Bahamas be in 7% oil minority?
IT CREPT like a spider, softly climbing up our back. Suddenly, it appeared in front of our eyes: big and black, poised to strike.
Regatta pushes back radar maintenance
A SCHEDULED maintenance of the radar system at Lynden Pindling International Airport (LPIA) has been pushed back to avoid heavy delays during the busy Exuma regatta weekend, aviation officials said yesterday, which was welcome news for airline executives looking to capitalise on the peak period.
Bottled water producers feeling foreign pressure
BAHAMAS-based bottled water companies are facing stiff foreign competition, the head of one leading producer telling Tribune Business yesterday that high electricity costs, 15 per cent up over last year, was another major challenge.
Online boutique launch takes Fashion Show 'to next level'
ORGANISERS behind the Islands of the World Fashion Showcase will next month launch an online boutique/label designed to promote the wares of Bahamian designers to the world, telling Tribune Business yesterday that 50 per cent of those exhibiting at their upcoming show were from this nation.
Bahamas 'on pace' for 2008 stopover levels in 6 months
AIR arrivals to the Bahamas are likely to match 2008 pre-recession levels "in six months at the pace we're going", the director-general of tourism said yesterday, telling Tribune Business that the extension of the 'Air Credit' promotion three weeks ago had generated bookings equivalent to almost 6,000 stopover arrivals.
Bahamasair in 60% local load factors boost
BAHAMASAIR expects to fully take over servicing Vision Airlines' Grand Bahama routes in December 2012 as part of a two-phased arrangement, the airline's managing director told Tribune Business yesterday, adding that the state-owned carrier was holding its own on domestic routes with load factors averaging in the high 60 per cents.
Gov't says economy grew 1.6% in 2011
THE Government last night released preliminary estimates showing the Bahamian economy's gross domestic product (GDP) expanded by 1.6 per cent in 2011, based on constant prices, despite household spending decreasing by 2 per cent.
Cooper elected Chamber chair
THE Bahamas Chamber of Commerce and Employers Confederation (BCCEC) has elected I. Chester Cooper, BAF Financial's president and chief executive, as its new chairman, and also chosen a new Board.
Discount plan targets 20% savings for Bahamas hotels
MANY small and medium-sized Bahamas-based hotels, especially those in the Family Islands, can now take advantage of volume purchase discounts generating savings of up to 20 per cent, placing them on the same footing as chains and large resorts.
